--- title: Your Menu Isn’t Broken—But Your Merchandising Might Be description: Improve restaurant profits by merchandising high-margin items before, during, and after ordering. Make every guest interaction count. image: https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/YouTube%20Cover%20Image%20Template%20(2048%20x%201152%20px)%20(Presentation).jpg --- [![FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png?width=200&height=22&name=FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png "FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide")](https://www.fullcourse.com) - [Who We Help](https://fullcourse.com/who) - [How We Work](https://fullcourse.com/consulting) - [Franchising](https://fullcourse.com/franchising) - [Investment](https://fullcourse.com/investment-for-brands) - [Resources](https://fullcourse.com/resources) - [About](https://fullcourse.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#team) - [Our Values](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#values) - [Press](https://fullcourse.com/press-room) - [Contact](https://fullcourse.com/contact-us) - [Assessment](https://fullcourse.com/consultinghttps://fullcourse.com/training#assessment) [![FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png?width=200&height=22&name=FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide.png "FullCourse-InvestorLogo-Wide")](https://www.fullcourse.com) - [Who We Help](https://fullcourse.com/who) - [How We Work](https://fullcourse.com/consulting) - [Franchising](https://fullcourse.com/franchising) - [Investment](https://fullcourse.com/investment-for-brands) - [Resources](https://fullcourse.com/resources) - [About](https://fullcourse.com/about-us) - [Our Team](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#team) - [Our Values](https://fullcourse.com/about-us#values) - [Press](https://fullcourse.com/press-room) - [Contact](https://fullcourse.com/contact-us) - [Assessment](https://fullcourse.com/consultinghttps://fullcourse.com/training#assessment) # Your Menu Isn’t Broken—But Your Merchandising Might Be By [Lauren Fernandez](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/author/lauren-fernandez-1) May 6, 2025 8:00:00 AM 1 Minute Read ### Unlock Hidden Profits with Smarter Merchandising Think your menu isn’t pulling its weight? You might be looking in the wrong place. In most restaurants, the problem isn’t *what’s* on the menu—it’s *how* it’s presented. Thousands of dollars in potential profit are lost each month simply because high-margin items aren’t being showcased effectively. That’s where strategic merchandising comes in: the art of guiding your guests to crave the most profitable choices at every touchpoint. Here’s how to build a seamless ordering journey that benefits your guests *and* your bottom line. --- ### The Golden Rule: Spotlight Your High-Margin Stars Whether it’s a best-selling burger or a seasonal special with stellar margins, these items need to be front and center—visually and verbally. #### 1. **Pre-Order: Create Cravings Early** This is where your merchandising game begins. - **Use high-quality visuals** to showcase top-margin items on menu boards, social media, and ordering kiosks. - **Highlight center-of-the-plate favorites** with compelling signage near your entrance or order counter. - **Feature limited-time offers (LTOs)** in a way that builds urgency and curiosity. > *“Your guests will notice what you spotlight,” says Lauren Barash, Chief Marketing Officer at Full Course. “So make sure it’s the items you actually want them to order.”* #### 2. **Ordering: Guide the Guest Decision** During the ordering moment, use small nudges to drive profitability: - **Upsell smart add-ons** (think: bacon, avocado, or premium sauces for entrées). - **Bundle items into value-driven combos** that increase average check size without drastically increasing food cost. - Use subtle cues like *“most popular”* or *“fan favorite”* to influence guest choices. #### 3. **Post-Order: Don’t Miss the Final Mile** Just because the entrée is ordered doesn’t mean your merchandising work is done. - **Tempt guests with high-margin desserts** and signature drinks after the main order. - Encourage team members to ask: *“Would you like to add a slice of our house-made pie?”*—it’s a small question with big impact. --- #### 💡 Pro Tip: Declutter to Drive Focus Your signage should only serve two purposes: **delight the guest** and **drive revenue**. Eliminate distractions like “No substitutions” or “We don’t accept Discover.” These messages take up valuable space—and attention. --- #### Key Takeaways: - Showcase high-profit items early and often with visuals and signage. - Use upsells and combo options to increase average check size. - Keep merchandising going after the entrée with dessert and drink suggestions. - Declutter your menu boards and signage to keep the focus on revenue-driving messages. ## Recommended For You [![](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/YouTube%20Cover%20Image%20Template%20(2048%20x%201152%20px)%20(Presentation).jpg)](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/why-youre-losing-money) 2 Min Read ### [Why You're Losing Money and What To Do About It](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/why-youre-losing-money) [![Picture of Lissa Bowen](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/4-1.svg) Lissa Bowen Mar 25, 2025 11:37:35 AM](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/author/lissa-bowen) [![](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/YouTube%20Cover%20Image%20Template%20(2048%20x%201152%20px)%20(Presentation).jpg)](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/why-static-menu-prices-are-eating-your-profits) [restaurant profitability](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/tag/restaurant-profitability) 1 Min Read ### [Why Static Menu Prices Are Eating Your Profits](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/why-static-menu-prices-are-eating-your-profits) [![Picture of Lauren Fernandez](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/1-1.svg) Lauren Fernandez May 20, 2025 9:00:00 AM](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/author/lauren-fernandez-1) [![](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/YouTube%20Cover%20Image%20Template%20(2048%20x%201152%20px)%20(Presentation).jpg)](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/the-secret-to-bigger-checks-bundle-like-a-pro) [restaurant profitability](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/tag/restaurant-profitability) 1 Min Read ### [The Secret to Bigger Checks? Bundle Like a Pro](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/the-secret-to-bigger-checks-bundle-like-a-pro) [![Picture of Lauren Fernandez](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/1-1.svg) Lauren Fernandez May 8, 2025 10:30:00 AM](https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/author/lauren-fernandez-1) In Service of DreamsTM [info@fullcourse.com](mailto:info@fullcourse.com) [678.389.4336](tel:6783894336)   [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/fullcourseofficial) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/fullcourse) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/fullcourseofficial/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/@officialfullcourse) - [How We Work](https://fullcourse.com/consulting) - [Franchising](https://fullcourse.com/franchising) - [Investment](https://fullcourse.com/investment-for-brands) - [Resources](https://fullcourse.com/resources) - [About](https://fullcourse.com/about-us) - [Press](https://fullcourse.com/press-room) - [Contact](https://fullcourse.com/contact-us) - [Blog](https://blog.fullcourse.com/press-room) ©2026 Full Course ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lauren Fernandez", "url" : "https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/author/lauren-fernandez-1" }, "dateModified" : "2025-05-06T12:00:02.590Z", "datePublished" : "2025-05-06T12:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Your Menu Isn’t Broken—But Your Merchandising Might Be", "image" : [ "https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/YouTube%20Cover%20Image%20Template%20(2048%20x%201152%20px)%20(Presentation).jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/how-to-grow/your-menu-isnt-broken-but-your-merchandising-might-be", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://news.fullcoursefoundation.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(5)-2.png" }, "name" : "Full Course" } } ```